TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 91 - PUBLIC LANDS

HEAD

Sec. 1853. Trees cut or injured

STATUTE

Whoever unlawfully cuts, or wantonly injures or destroys any tree
growing, standing, or being upon any land of the United States
which, in pursuance of law, has been reserved or purchased by the
United States for any public use, or upon any Indian reservation,
or lands belonging to or occupied by any tribe of Indians under the
authority of the United States, or any Indian allotment while the
title to the same shall be held in trust by the Government, or
while the same shall remain inalienable by the allottee without the
consent of the United States, shall be fined under this title or
imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 104 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch.
321, Sec. 50, 35 Stat. 1098; June 25, 1910, ch. 431, Sec. 6, 36
Stat. 857).
Reference to persons aiding or procuring was deleted as
unnecessary since such persons are made principals by section 2 of
this title.
Maximum fine was increased from $500 to $1,000 to conform to
other comparable sections of this chapter. (See sections 1851 and
1852 of this title.)
Minor changes were also made in phraseology.
AMENDMENTS
1996 - Pub. L. 104-294 substituted "fined under this title" for
"fined not more than $1,000".